MANILA, Philippines?President Benigno Aquino has appointed his election lawyer Joel Cadiz as the new Solicitor General, spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said last night.

?Atty. Joel Cadiz is the new Solicitor General,? the presidential spokesperson said in a text message.

Cadiz, who served as president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines from 2003 to 2006, represented Aquino in the canvassing of presidential votes by the joint congressional committee as part of the P-Noy lawyers. He filed petitions in the Supreme Court questioning then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo?s controversial Executive Order 464 and Proclamation 1017, among others.

Meanwhile, Secretary Jesus Dureza has offered to relinquish his post as chair of the Mindanao Development Authority to give Mr. Aquino a ?free hand and full opportunity? to choose the head of the agency.